Signaling device.



R. E. MORRISON.

SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED N0v.24. 1916.

1378,7180 Patentedfiept. 10,1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET l- R. E. MORRISON.

SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 24. 1910.

Patented Sept. 10, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- signaling attachments for vehicles, automo- ROBERT E.MOBBISQN, ,OF COLLIERSVILLE, TENNESSEE.

SIGNALING DEVECE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11 1), M ETS.

Application filed November 24, 1916. Serial No. 133,279.-

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, ROBERT E. MORRISON, acitizen of the United States, residing at Colliersville, in the countyof Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented certain usefulImprovements in Signaling Devices, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.The invention relates to a signaling device, and more particularly tothe "class of biles or the like.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a signalingattachment of this characterwherein a movable arm bearing indicia issupported upon one of the rear mud guards of a vehicle, particularly anautomobile, and this arm can be thrown to a position so that the indiciathereon is visible tothe traffic in the rear of the automobile and thusindicate whether nnot the automobile will move at reduced speed or cometo a standstill, and in this manner obviating any possibility of rearend collisions or accidents.

Another object ofthe invention is the provision of a-signalingattachment of this character wherein the 'movable arm forming the sialing flag or blade is automatically contro led by the foot brake leverwithin the body of the vehicle, thereby eliminating the necessity of theoperator manuallysi'gnaling in the usual manner when the car is totravel slowor make a turn from a direct course.

A further object of the invention is the .provision of a signal of thischaracter wherein the construction thereof is unique and automatically'controlled, the signal be ing readily visible from'the rear end of thevehicle either by day or night and is readily and easily mounted inplace without necessitating any changes or alterations in theCOIlStI'llCtlOIl of the vehicle. 45

A still further object ofthe invention is the provision of a signalof'this character which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliableand efficient in its purpose, strong, durable and inexpensive inmanufacture.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter desdribed.

The invention accordingly; consists in the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be arezEplified in the construction hereinafter de .cribed, and the scope ofthe applihung in cation of which will be indicated in the ap pendedclaims. 7

In the accompanying drawings r Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspectiveview of the chassis of an automobile, with the side rear mud guard,showing the signal attachment constructed in accordance with theinvention applied, with its connection to the brake foot lever or pedal;I

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of an automobile with the signal arm inlowered signaling position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the movable signal arm detached;

Fig. i is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through thesignaling attachment; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the main support of the signalingattachment.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring to-the drawings in detail, A.

designates a portion of the chassis of an automobile; B, one of the s derear mud guards and C the brake iooi. lever, which is the usual mannerand is in con venient reach of the operator within the automobile, asusual.

On the rear mud guard-B at a suitable point thereof is mounted thesignaling attachment hereinafter fully described.

The signaling attachment comprises a standard 10 which is formed at itslower end with a base 11 -at right angles thereto through which ispassed a pairrof bolts or other fasteners 12, the same being also passedthrough the body ofthe rear'mud guard B for the securing of the supportthereon so that the said support will stand vertically, the majorportion of the support being preferably in the form of a casing orshield 13 and is preferably. painted or otherwise coated to give a neatand attractive appearance thereto. Carried in thesupport, centrally of asubstantially circular portion M thereof, is a pivot 15 which is alsoloosely passed through the hub end 16 of a movable i signaling arm orblade 17, which latter is correspondingly shaped to the casing or shield13 and is adapted to register therewith when in non-signaling position.The rearmost face ofsaid blade or arm 1? has printed or word Slow, whichis indicative of the speed of travei of the automobile so as to signifyotherwise marked thereon the to the traffic in rear thereof that thespeed of travel of the automobile will be reduced on the swinging ofsaid blade or, arm 17 to lowered position or at right angles to thecasing or shield 13, which is the signaling position to check trafficrearwardlyof the advancing or moving automobile on which the signal isin use. r

On the hub 16 of the blade or arm 17 is a pulley 18 in the peripheralgroove 19 of which is fixed one end of a flexible member 20 which issuitably trained from the point of the signal forwardly of theautomobile and is connected to the foot lever or pedal C so that whenthe operator applies the brakes of the automobile 'by depressing thefoot lever or pedal G the signal blade 17 will be moved from normalperpendicular position to lowered horizontal position, therebydisplaying the indicia thereon indicative of the fact that the speed ofthe automobile will be reduced so that traffic in the rear will becognizant of the fact and thus obviate rear end collisions or accidents.

The pulley 18 is formed with a hollow center 21 in which is housed acoiled tension spring 22, one end of which is fixed to the pivot 15 andits opposite end fixed to the be substituted for the proper signaling oftraific at the rear of the automobile as to the direction or course ofthe same or any change in speed of travel thereof.

It is desired to have the blade or arm 1.7 and the shield or casing 13made from aluminum and painted White, while the word Slow on the bladeor arm 17 is of a difierent hue or color'readily' visible anddistinguishable by day or night. The signal will be clearly visible at.night by reason of the fact that the headlights of'an approachingvehicle or automobile at the rearwill illuminate the said signal and inthe use of the latter the possibility of collision is minimized.

Fromthe foregoing description, taken in may be attached in aperpendicular position to the rear mud guard of an automobile, theshield having the shape of a signaling arm,

a signaling arm corresponding to the shape of the shield having its oneend pivotally attached thereto, the signaling arm being provided with ahub, a resilient member inclosed within the hub and operating normallytohold the signaling member in a vertical position behind the shield, andmeans whereby the hub of the signaling arm may be connected with thebrake operating foot lever of an automobile, so that the signaling arm-may be moved from its position behind the shield on the depression ofthe said foot lever.

2. Asignaling attachment for automobiles comprising a support havingmeans for attachmen't to the rear mud guard of an automobile, asignaling member pivotally mounted on the said support, the signalingmember being provided with a hub, the support being provided with apivot pin with which the hub loosely engages, the hub having ahollowcenter, a spiral spring inclosed within the hub and having one end inengagement with the pivot pin and the other end in engagement With theinner wall of 9 the hollow portion of the hub, the hub further having acircumferential groove, and a, flexible member trained around saidgroove and having one end fixed therein, the other end being adapted forattachment to the brake operating foot lever of an automobile, wherebythe signaling member is held normally in a non-signaling position and isoperated only on the depression of said foot lever.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ROBERT E. MORRISON.

